Fort Thompson Man Pleads Guilty To Felon In Possession Of Firearm

United States Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that Bryant Ross, age 39, of Fort Thompson, South Dakota, appeared before U.S. District Judge Roberto A. Lange on August 29, 2013, and pled guilty to the Indictment that charged him with Felon in Possession of Firearm. 

The maximum penalty upon conviction is 10 years of imprisonment and/or a $250,000 fine, 3 years of supervised release, an additional 2 years of supervised release upon revocation, and a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.  Restitution may also be ordered. 

The charge stems from an incident on February 23, 2013, when a Bureau of Indian Affairs Officer made contact with Ross in the Old Fort campground area off of Highway 47.  It was learned at this time that Bryant “Spud” Ross had an active tribal warrant.  During his arrest on the tribal warrant, it was learned there were two firearms in Ross’ possession. 

Ross was convicted in 1998 of Possession of Controlled substance-Meth, which prohibits him from possessing a firearm.

The investigation was conducted by the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan N. Dilges is prosecuting the case. 

Ross was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending sentencing, which has been set for November 21, 2013.